Small Gestures: Improvised Relationality and Non-Appropriative Empathy in Adaptive Community-Music Making in Care Settings
Apr 10, 2026 — 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
This event is part of the Music and Health Research Institute speaker series.
Event description
This presentation explores the ethical complexities of facilitation, the mediation of technology, and the potential pitfalls of empathic projection, arguing that music-making in these contexts enacts care as a dynamic, co-constituted process. Jesse examines how micro-gestures, adaptive instruments, and what he calls “non-appropriative empathy” can foster relational care, agency, and co-creation. By centering relationality and responsiveness, this work demonstrates how community music can expand inclusive, ethically attuned approaches to care.
Speaker
Jesse Stewart
Jesse Stewart is an award-winning interdisciplinary artist dedicated to reimagining the spaces between artistic disciplines. His music has been documented on over twenty recordings including Stretch Orchestra’s self-titled debut album, which was honoured with the 2012 “Instrumental Album of the Year” Juno award (the Canadian equivalent of a Grammy). He has been widely commissioned as a composer and artist. Through his deep commitment to fostering community health through music, art, and education, he founded and directs “We Are All Musicians” (WAAM), an organization and research-creation project dedicated to fostering inclusive and accessible music making.
Contact us
Music and Health Research Institute
University of Ottawa
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Ottawa, Ontario
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